Ever since taking over in July 2002, for the first time President A P J Abdul Kalam will inaugurate and address the 31st conclave of directors of all laboratories under the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), his alma mater. The annual conference is usually inaugurated and addressed by the Prime Minister, Defence Minister or the DRDO chief, but never so far by a President.

President Kalam’s leadership of the organisation from 1992-99 is still seen as legendary within DRDO ranks — his reputation as an astute organiser and people manager is still celebrated.

Kalam joined DRDO at its inception in 1958 and stayed with the country’s scientific establishment, primarily ISRO, until he began heading DRDO in 1992 as scientific advisor to the Defence Minister. Apart from the country’s satellite programme, Kalam is most identified with the ambitious Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), particularly the Agni and Prithvi systems.

As a principal meeting in the DRDO calendar, scientists across the board have expressed satisfaction and enthusiasm that Kalam has agreed to address them, just months before he ends his five-year term as the President in July.

The conference is a key assembly of the organisation’s chief controllers, laboratory directors, corporate and technical directors which conducts a spot-check on the progress of projects across the board and sets outline for the upcoming financial year.